We asked our power list of social-media mavericks to identify who they think are changing the social-media landscape. Plus: See our complete coverage of social media mavericks.

"I'm a big admirer of anyone who's willing to risk it all to support his creative independence, and Louis C.K. did that in multiple ways this past year, holding out for a TV show that he could do his way and going directly to his fans and inviting them to be part of his process. His decisions were bold and admirable—and hopefully harbingers of similar actions from other performers."—Yancey Strickler, cofounder of Kickstarter